Nicolas Michel (aka Milkorva) is a visual and new media artist based in Paris, with a master degree in Contemporary & Digital Art from the Sorbonne. He creates generative and immersive installations, focusing on the ever-changing and unpredictable nature of elements. His works capture the essence of natural phenomena, digitally reinterpreting them in a quest for dialogue between the figurative and the abstract. The artist employs generative algorithms and advanced simulations to create constantly evolving digital ecosystems. His creations, accompanied by rich, audio-reactive soundscapes, invite introspection and question our relationship with reality. Exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Grand Palais, the Boston Museum of Science, Sonar Istanbul, and Miami Art Basel, his works offer a contemplative experience that is both personal and universal. Through ever-evolving works, mirroring the natural forces that inspire him, Milkorva invites the viewer to rethink their perception of the world. We spoke to him about his work and how he is using technology to engage with the natural world.
1. How would you describe your artistic practice?
My work consists of creating generative and immersive installations that explore the ever-changing and unpredictable nature of elements. I primarily work on abstract pieces, whose movements, shapes, and colours can evoke figurative elements. By digitally reinterpreting them, I aim to give them a new perspective, a new dimension. My work questions reality and the perception we have of it, playing with the boundaries between the visible and the invisible.
2. What interests you about working with generative technologies?
They allow me to capture the unpredictability of the natural world. Rather than freezing an image or a moment, I design systems that evolve autonomously, without repetition, making each moment unique. These works self-generate, thus escaping fixed formats. They are no longer confined to a single frame or format and can adapt to different display mediums, whether it’s a large LED screen, an immersive dome, or a 360° space.
3. What makes nature a powerful subject for artistic and technical engagement?
Nature is an endless source of complexity and transformation. I’m particularly interested in natural phenomena that transcend human experience and the marks they leave over time. What fascinates me is their ability to evolve independently of us, while simultaneously questioning our place in this larger system.
4. How would you describe the relationship between art and innovation?
I like to think that art and innovation are inseparable. New technologies provide unprecedented tools and perspectives, while art allows us to question and humanise them. My work exists at this intersection: I explore the possibilities offered by generative algorithms and simulations (fluids, smoke) to create large-scale, contemplative experiences. But artistic innovation is not limited to technique. It also resides in how we renew our perception of the world and how we tell stories in new ways. Narration, even abstract, allows me to explore new forms of interaction with the viewer.
5. What do you hope the viewer takes away from your work?
Through my works, I invite the viewer to question their perception of reality, to observe what seems immutable or invisible in a new way. My goal is to offer an experience that goes beyond mere contemplation, opening up a space for reflection on the world around us.
